SPH^EEOPHTHALMA. 38 ? 



Apart from the difference in coloration, this species differs from the preceding m 

 the longer petiole, and in having the radial cellule acutely pointed (instead of truncated) 

 at the apex. 



The following species (S. otomita, S. laerma, and S. severa) have the abdominal 

 peduncle narrowed at the base, broadened at the apex, the narrowed part forming a 

 distinct " neck." They are also stouter and broader, the thorax especially, except in 

 8. otomita. The abdomen is short and broad. 



142. Sphaerophthalma otomita. 



Ferruginea, capite nigro, pedibus testaceis, femoribus posterioribus fuscis, antennis testaceis ; alis hyalmis, 



nervis fuscis, stigmate nigro. <$ . 

 Long, fere 12 millim. 



Hab. Mexico, Northern Sonora (Morrison). 



The head is narrower than the thorax, rounded, but not much narrowed, behind the 

 eyes, almost impunctate, sparsely covered with short pale pubescence ; the ocelli 

 large, the posterior two bordered behind and at the sides with a shallow furrow, 

 there being also a sharper furrow in front of the anterior ocellus. The mandibles at 

 the base bear some white hair ; their tips are black. The antennae are longer than 

 the head and thorax united, tapering very slightly towards the apex ; the flagellum 

 covered with an obscure white pile ; the basal joint short, thick, and with a few white 

 hairs; the third and fourth joints subequal. The mesonotum is impunctate; the 

 parapsidal furrows do not reach the scutellum ; on their outer side is a keel which 

 becomes sharper and more distinct towards the scutellum, with which it unites obliquely. 

 The scutellum is impunctate and has a furrow across its base ; it becomes narrowed 

 towards the apex and bears a few long white hairs. The median segment has a rather 

 abrupt slope at the apex ; it is smooth, glabrous, except for a few white hairs ; there 

 are no reticulations, but there is a furrow down the centre. The pro- and mesopleura 

 are impunctate and very shining, as are also the metapleurse, which have an oblique 

 furrow. The abdomen is not much longer than the head and thorax united, and in the 

 middle is almost as wide as the mesothorax. The petiole is nearly as long as the 

 second abdominal segment ; it is very shining and almost glabrous ; the base is 

 narrow, the apical three-fourths being broad ; towards the base of this broad part 

 is a longitudinal furrow, which does not reach the apex. The other dorsal segments 

 are impunctate, shining, glabrous or nearly so ; the apical segment is depressed at the 

 sides. On the underside, the petiole is flat, sparsely covered with pale hairs ; in the 

 centre is a straight furrow; there is another furrow down the sides, which have a 

 distinct margin or keel on the inner side. The legs are covered with long white hair ; 



3dd 2 



